Xiaomi 12X vs Xiaomi 12 Lite: A Head-to-Head Showdown

Xiaomi's 12 series offers compelling options for mid-range smartphone buyers. The 12X and 12 Lite both boast stylish designs and competitive features, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the perfect device.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 12X takes the crown for raw performance thanks to its Snapdragon 870 chipset. However, the 12 Lite shines with its brighter display and potentially more appealing design for some. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities: power or aesthetics.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi 12X Xiaomi 12 Lite
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China-
Launch
Announced2021, December 282022, July 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, December 31Available. Released 2022, July 11
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm (6.01 x 2.75 x 0.32 in)159.3 x 73.7 x 7.3 mm (6.27 x 2.90 x 0.29 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight176 g (6.21 oz)173 g (6.10 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~419 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.28 inches, 95.2 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1100 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 950 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 11, MIUI 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto macro), AF108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF
Video1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with dual speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1 / 5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi 6 (market dependent), dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 39 min67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 50% in 13 min
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray, Blue, PurpleBlack, Lite Green, Lite Pink
Models2112123AC, 2112123AG2203129G
PriceAbout 180 EUR€ 119.80 / $ 269.00 / £ 121.15
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     0.73 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.59 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)0.60 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 105h Endurance rating 100h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.6 LUFS (Very good) -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 598003 (v8), 690298 (v9) GeekBench: 3168 (v5.1) GFXBench: 47fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 528905 (v9) GeekBench: 2943 (v5.1) GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi 12X

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 870)
  • Faster Charging (39 min to 100%)
  • Potentially better image processing

  • 'Infinite' contrast ratio is vague
  • Design might be less appealing to some
  • Potentially higher price

Xiaomi 12 Lite

  • Brighter Display (824 nits)
  • Stylish Design
  • Potentially better selfie camera
  • More affordable

  • Lower Performance (Snapdragon 778G)
  • Slower charging to 100% (estimated 55-60 mins)
  • Less powerful chipset for demanding tasks

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 12X boasts a 'nominal' infinite contrast ratio, which is a marketing term and doesn't provide concrete data. The Xiaomi 12 Lite, however, offers a measured peak brightness of 824 nits, making it significantly better for outdoor visibility and HDR content. While both have excellent color reproduction, the 12 Lite's brightness gives it a noticeable edge.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the 12X likely has a slight edge in image processing due to the more powerful chipset. The 12 Lite may have a slightly better selfie camera due to potentially higher resolution sensors. Low-light performance is likely comparable, but the 12X's processing might yield slightly better results. Detailed camera tests would be needed for a definitive answer.

Performance

Here's where the 12X truly shines. Its Snapdragon 870 chipset is a flagship-level processor, offering significantly faster performance than the 12 Lite's Snapdragon 778G. Expect smoother gaming, quicker app loading times, and better overall responsiveness on the 12X. The 12 Lite is still capable, but not in the same league.

Battery Life

Both phones have similar endurance ratings (105h vs 100h), suggesting comparable battery life in typical usage. The 12X's 67W charging is slightly faster, reaching 100% in 39 minutes, while the 12 Lite charges to 50% in 13 minutes. Overall, battery performance is a draw.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi 12X is ideal for users who prioritize performance and smooth multitasking, especially gamers or those who frequently use demanding apps. The Xiaomi 12 Lite is a better fit for those who value a stylish design, a vibrant display for media consumption, and a more budget-friendly price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xiaomi 12X worth the extra money?
If you prioritize performance and smooth multitasking, the 12X's Snapdragon 870 is worth the investment. However, if you're on a tighter budget and value a brighter display and stylish design, the 12 Lite is a compelling alternative.
❓ Which phone has better camera quality?
While both have capable cameras, the Xiaomi 12X likely has a slight edge due to its more powerful processor aiding in image processing. However, a detailed camera comparison would be needed to confirm.